Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a big arboreal cage (4tallx3widex3deep) and wanted to know if this is possible? I realize that the Red Tail may grow faster than the carpet, but Im not sure if either of them are cannibalistic or not. They both get to be about 6-7 feet, but one will significantly outweigh the other... has anyone ever done it succesfully?

Thanks

The nominal response to this would be a staunch NO. But, has anyone done it? Don't know. Will it be possible for the python to harbor some protozoa that is benign to it but not good for the boa, or vice-versa? Don't know (probably not though.) Temperature requirements are similar.

IMO housing two snakes together of that size results in dirty cages and frequent cleaning and disturbing of the cage. For that reason I always say one snake per cage. Much cleaner collection that way.

A red-tail, as an adult, would get so big it might hurt the carpet just by sitting on it, not to mention stressing it out a bunch.
-----
Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

Of possibly giving one something that the other is immune to.Boas can carry IBD for years without any ill effects but to my knowledge is very fast and deadly to pythons once they come into contact with the disease (even though some boas die from it,some boas can carry it and not show signs).Not only that but they are from 2 different countries that have multiple differences in bacteria,diseases,protozoans,etc. so still the risk could be great and to me isnt worth the savings on an extra cage setup.Feeding would also become a problem once they get so big.Having 2 different species with significantly different feeding responses would wind up getting you bit.There are plenty of other reasons as why to not house them together but you get the idea.Just buy another cage or build one and save yourself some possible migraines,stitches,and possibly the life of one or both of the snakes.If they were 2 of the same species then i would say go for it but since its 2 different species then keep them seperate.If by chance you cant afford another cage or dont want another cage (stubborness) then do the animals a favor and get rid of one of them or both.It may seem a little drastic but then i care more for the animals than the human race. Regards Bill McLeod

Makes sense... I dont have either yet and was just doing a little planning.

Im going to build a cage for it (5longx2deepx2high)

Thanks for all the help
-----
£v£®LiGh‡

` If you're considering keeping them together to save the cost of another cage, don't.
` When you keep different species together, besides picking animals that have similar environmental requirements, you've got to pick the right individuals. If you don't know exactly where the individual snakes you're planning to keep together came from, you can bring in disease and parasites.
` In my opinion, wild caught animals would be unacceptable. Only captive bred animals from a known source, that you consider safe, would be right, as far as health. And then, only after a long quarrantine.
` In any species there are going to be some individuals that are behaviorally suited to a community, and some that are not. Some are going to be too aggressive, some are going to be stressed by the experience. Either way, these are not suitable. I keep one community of different species. The rest of my snakes are separate. The individuals in the community had been in my care for years before I mixed them. They have been stabile for five years, with no problems.
` Feeding and sanitation become much more critical in a community. I always separate them for feeding. Then when they start defecating, you've got two weeks of intense cleanup. You've got to be on top of sanitation, or you could have health problems, quickly!
` I monitor their individual health, and inspect their stools. I think you should have separate caging available, it's handy for feeding, anyway. If I found a questionable stool, or observed a sick snake, I would separate them all immediately.
` The advantages are that, with Boids, you can observe some unusual, and quite interesting behavior not usually attributed to Boid snakes. My community is all male. Three Yellow Anacondas, one big Ball Python, and one Boa constrictor imperator. They have lots of room, and two heated soaking containers. The usually sleep in a pile, and all get into one water container to soak, making it overflow, except the Ball, of course. He only gets his lips wet! They tend to climb into the branches, and get into a big knot. One Anaconda, and the Boa, have quite a romance going on. They spur each other, and mount each other every few months, when the females in nearby cages are giving off pheromones. As they are all adults, I feed them at 6 to 8 week intervals. When they smell their food thawing, they get excited, and often line up, waiting to be taken to their feeding cages.
` I'm not experienced with Carpet Pythons, so I'm not encouraging you to do this. But I do want to say that too much of the "common knowledge" about Boid husbandry is just dogma. People repeating what they have been told, and closing their minds to anything else. Also, it is usually right. Most snakes are not suited, and most snake keepers are not suited, to keeping critters in a community. You have to be aware of conditions in the community at all times! Keep in mind that they could easily kill and eat each other. That is why I feel it is advisable to know each individual very well, before mixing them.
`

`

`

`

`

-----